Sarah Martha Pyle Barr

Sarah Martha Pyle Barr, 93, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2011. Sarah was born in Ocilla on November 12, 1917 and she had been a resident of Valdosta since 1919 when her parents Reverend A.C and Edith Vail Pyle moved to Valdosta to assume the pastorship at Lee Street Baptist Church. The life of Sarah Barr was intrinsically woven into the fabric of her church. From her earliest days she assisted her mother and father in the development of an arts, drama and education program at Lee Street Baptist Church. She, along with her parents, wrote and produced plays used in the instruction of young people. The church maintained an open door policy for anyone wishing guidance, study and training in music and areas of general instruction. During the growth of the church she was closely involved with the music ministry and served at various times as choir director, soloist, pianist and organist. She was the senior living member of Lee Street Baptist when it merged with Azalea City Baptist and remained the senior member at Crossroads Baptist Church until her passing.

Sarah attended Georgia State Women's College (VSU) and Florida State Women's College (FSU) receiving a degree in piano and music education. Her Senior Recital included a performance of Beethoven's First Piano Concerto. Immediately following her graduation in 1938 she was appointed music director at Norman Park Junior College. In addition to music she also taught English in Norman Junior's Prep School. She remained at the college until she married Robert Barr to whom she was married for 57 years. After her marriage she worked with her husband in the jewelry business until their joint retirement. Both Sarah and Robert very much enjoyed the arts and made frequent trips to New York to attend plays and musicals. Sarah continued her love of music, frequently playing piano for the residents of Langdale Place where she resided for 10 years. Her love of literature and music remained strong and she enjoyed writing stories, dramatic plays, songs, hymns and anthems. With her husband she wrote two musical comedies, "A Trivia Caper" and "A Night at Delmonico's" which enjoyed a successful and popular production by Valdosta State University's Department of Theater in 1985. Both Sarah and Robert were enthusiastic supporters of the Arts at Valdosta State and established the Robert and Sarah Barr Music Scholarship Fund. They were both highly gratified to meet and learn of the success of VSU Music students who were able to attend college through their generosity.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Barr, son Tommy Barr, grandson Erik Barr, and daughter-in-law Martha Barr. Survivors include her sons Philip (Peggy) Barr and Ed (Norma) Barr of Valdosta and Stephen (Ann) Barr of Thomasville; grandchildren, Allan (Brooke) Barr and Michael (Kelly) Barr of Valdosta, Stephanie (Trey) Edwards of Greenville, South Carolina, Jennifer (David) Williams of Fort Worth, Texas, and great grandchildren Jackson Barr and Maggie Barr of Valdosta and Dylan Barr of Quitman and a daughter-in-law, Melanie Barr Schwallenberg of Valdosta.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 15 between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. at Carson McLane Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to the Robert and Sarah Barr Music Scholarship Fund at Valdosta State University. Condolences to the family may be expressed on line at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602